Arsenicum album

Most Common Uses

• Food poisoning-like conditions.

• Acute vomiting and diarrhea.

• Common cold and flu-like illnesses.

• Acute illnesses that worsen after midnight.

• Infections accompanied by restlessness.

• Respiratory complaints.

• States of exhaustion and weakness.

• Conditions with burning pains.

Areas of Action

• Mind and emotions.

• Digestive system.

• Respiratory system.

• Skin.

• Circulatory system.

• General vitality and energy.

Overview

Arsenicum album is primarily associated with anxiety, restlessness, weakness, and burning complaints in both acute and chronic conditions.

Mind and Emotions

• Anxiety about health.

• Fear of illness.

• Fear of death.

• Fear of being alone.

• Need for reassurance.

• Desire for order and control.

• Restlessness.

• Constant worry.

• Anxiety about the future.

• Fastidious and perfectionistic tendencies.

General Symptoms

• Marked weakness.

• Exhaustion.

• Chilly disposition.

• Restlessness during illness.

• Burning pains.

• Feeling cold.

• Desire to move despite weakness.

• Frequent sipping of small amounts of water.

Head

• Burning headaches.

• Headaches accompanied by weakness.

• Sensation of heaviness during illness.

• Headaches associated with anxiety.

Eyes

• Burning sensation.

• Watering of the eyes.

• Irritation.

• Sensitive eyes.

Nose

• Thin, watery, burning nasal discharge.

• Nasal irritation during colds.

• Symptoms worse at night.

• Burning around the nostrils.

Mouth and Teeth

• Dry mouth.

• Burning sensation.

• Bad taste in the mouth.

• Oral sensitivity.

Throat

• Burning sore throat.

• Tendency to feel better from warm drinks.

• Dryness of the throat.

Respiratory System

• Cough worse after midnight.

• Shortness of breath.

• Respiratory complaints accompanied by restlessness.

• Respiratory symptoms following colds.

• Asthmatic-type complaints.

Digestive System

• Vomiting.

• Diarrhea.

• Food poisoning-like symptoms.

• Desire for frequent small sips of water.

• Weakness after eating.

• Burning sensations in the stomach and intestines.

• Digestive sensitivity.

Women's Health

• Weakness during menstruation.

• Increased exhaustion during menstrual periods.

• Female complaints associated with low vitality.

Musculoskeletal System

• General weakness.

• Physical exhaustion.

• Slow recovery after illness.

• Desire to rest.

Skin

• Burning sensations.

• Itching.

• Dryness.

• Skin complaints worse at night.

• Sensitive skin.

Modalities

Worse From

• After midnight (especially 1:00–2:00 a.m.; some sources give 1:00–3:00 a.m.)

• Cold.

• Being alone.

• Thinking about illness.

• Cold food and drinks.

• Wet weather.

Better From

• Warm applications.

• Warm drinks.

• Company and reassurance.

• Elevating the head.

• Warm surroundings.

Keynotes

• Extreme restlessness.

• Anxiety about health.

• Fear of death.

• Great weakness with a need to move.

• Burning pains.

• Frequent sipping of small amounts of water.

• Marked aggravation after midnight.

• Desire for order and control.

• Fastidious and perfectionistic nature.

Similar Remedies

• Aconitum napellus.

• Phosphorus.

• Nux vomica.

• Rhus toxicodendron.

• Carbo vegetabilis.

• China officinalis.

• Veratrum album.

Distinguishing Features

• Compared with Veratrum album: Both are considered in collapse with vomiting and diarrhea. Veratrum has cold sweat on the forehead, a desire for large amounts of cold water, and cramps. Arsenicum has burning, restlessness, anxiety, and small frequent sips.

• Compared with Phosphorus: Phosphorus craves ice-cold drinks and is open and affectionate. Arsenicum is chilly, sips warm drinks, and has a strong need for order and control.

• Compared with Nux vomica: In digestive complaints, Nux vomica follows overeating, alcohol, or stimulants, with irritability, chilliness, and ineffectual urging. Arsenicum follows spoiled food, with burning, prostration, and anxiety.